Thanks to a string of ugly first-period performances, the Rangers find themselves staring into a 1-5-2 abyss. They'll need to overcome a flawed lineup -- and resolve the giant question mark around Henrik Lundqvist's future -- to climb out of the hole.

An aging superstar goaltender, significant offseason departures and pressure on a big-money winger to produce in a contract year add up to an intriguing -- and potentially disappointing -- season for the New York Rangers.